On February 29, the Consulate General of France in New York hosted a debate entitled “Women in Sports: dousing the flame of inequality”, in advance of the upcoming holding of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, while for the first time these games will welcome as many male as female athletes.
The evening was opened by Damien Laban, Acting Consul General of France and the debate, moderated by Dr. Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff, consultant, brought together Kely Nascimento, CEO of The Impact Game and daughter of Brazilian soccer star Pelé, as well as Gail Marquis, Olympic basketball champion at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
France, proud to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
In his opening speech, the Acting Consul General, Damien Laban, first indicated how happy and proud France is to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in its capital next July, August and September.
To launch the debate, Damien Laban recalled the exceptional sporting career of Charlotte Cooper, British tennis player and first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual event, during the Paris Olympic Games in 1900, held at the same time time as the Universal Exhibition.
In front of a large audience including many women, Doctor Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff invited Kely Nascimento and Gail Marquis to share their personal experiences in the sporting world, particularly with regard to issues of discrimination in sport.
Gail Marquis, an American basketball player in France
Gail Marquis first recalled her emotion when she entered the Olympic stadium for the opening ceremony, in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II of England: “When I entered the Olympic stadium, emotion gripped me. I saw Queen Elizabeth II, I realized that I was going to represent the United States of America. I never felt also American.”
Gail Marquis, a native of Queens’ black community, was selected to the U.S. team in 1976, the first time a women’s basketball team was allowed to compete in the Olympics. His team won the Olympic silver medal. For her exploits, Gail Marquis was inducted into the prestigious New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.
Subsequently, Gail Marquis left to play within the French Basketball Federation in the Antibes-Juan-les-Pins club. During the three seasons she played there, she was won over by the charm, culture and traditions of this part of France, and remembers the curiosity she aroused as a black Olympic champion within this community.
The Nascimento Foundation’s fight for equality
For her part, Kely Nascimento created the fondation Birth, in inheritance of the original name of his prestigious father, “King Pelé”, international star of Brazilian and world football. The purpose of this foundation is to promote and guarantee fundamental human rights for all. His company The Impact of Game connects athletes, commercial brands and non-profit organizations, with the aim of developing lasting partnerships aligned with shared values and equal human rights.
Of course, while being the daughter of King Pelé made her introductions all over the world easier, it was Kely’s energy and strong personality that allowed her to be at the forefront of the fight against the resulting inequalities of gender or race within sporting circles and to promote women’s rights.
In the end, the audience was able to appreciate the attachment to France of the three women invited by the Consulate General to debate, by their knowledge of our language, and by their desire to get involved in bilateral France-United States relations. through sport and the participation of women.
2024-03-04 16:54:25
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